Tired and run-down? It may be a bigger problem...

But a check of her blood sugar levels a year ago found the 55-year-old had type two diabetes. "Looking back I was starting to feel more tired and didn't have enough energy," she said.

Mrs Bates, from Maleny, has improved her diet, exercises about three days a week and is on medication to help keep her levels stable.

Kym Bates

"Even though symptoms aren't there necessarily in your face, it's important to make sure you're not doing ongoing damage," she said.

On the Sunshine Coast there are 12,796 people registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme.

In the Maroochy hinterland, taking in Maleny, Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton, Landsborough, Glasshouse, Kenilworth, Conondale, Palmwoods, Eudlo and Mooloolah, there are 3935 people with diabetes - the highest on the Coast.

Diabetes Queensland CEO Michelle Trute said for every person diagnosed with type two diabetes there were nearly three people who were either undiagnosed or had pre-diabetes.

Speaking as part of National Diabetes Week, she said more than 3100 Coast residents had higher risks of limb amputations, blindness and other complications associated with diabetes.

Ms Trute encouraged health services to collaborate to ensure people received credible education.